Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Manchester United to play International friendlies

Not involved in
European competition and knocked out of the League Cup, Manchester United are
considering playing midweek friendlies abroad to help manager Louis van Gaal
prepare for Premier League matches.

Van
Gaal has used an astonishing 29 different players in the club's opening six
league games of the season but a potential lack of competitive matches to keep
a large squad match fit is causing concern.

United
beat Real Madrid 3-1 in a friendly in Michigan on their pre-season tour of the
United States and the club's managing director Richard Arnold thinks Van Gaal
would be happy to play more such games.

"We
have a fantastic partnership in terms of our work off the pitch and I'm very
appreciative of the support we have had from him," Arnold said.

"For
many years of our international tours, there is a plan to ensure we get that
team-building that goes together with getting the team all together in one
place.

"That's
something that's being looked at with regards to the future."

Injuries
and a number of transfers in and out of Old Trafford have contributed to the
high number of players used but the meticulous Dutchman will be praying for
more consistency of selection as he attempts to rebuild the team.

He
will be without his captain Wayne Rooney for the next three games following the
England's forward's red card against West Ham and Juan Mata is likely to be
restored to the playmaking role behind the two strikers.

SPEAK
UP!

United's
defensive problems could be eased by the return of Phil Jones for Sunday's game
against Everton but Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling are still injured and Tyler
Blackett suspended.

Van
Gaal's reign at United may have started unconvincingly on the pitch but the
Dutchman's influence behind the scenes is growing fast and he has urged his
players to become outspoken in team meetings.

"Everybody
gets involved in the project and everyone has their own say, which is maybe new
for some players but not for me as I know how he works," said United
striker Robin van Persie, who played for the Netherlands under Van Gaal.

"I
think it's very interesting and very good because we are all pulling on the
same rope, as the Dutch say. It is very demanding in a good way, as you have to
be focused every single day of the sessions or the meetings."

Van
Persie said United's main target for the season was to qualify for the
Champions League again.

"That's
our aim this year to be sure, to be in the top four," he said. "If
you look at our players, fans, squad, stadium it's normal to be in the top
four.

"If
I look at what I have seen in training and on the pitch in games I can see that
it is getting much better. Now we have to extend that and make at least the top
four."